Elevation—Keep the injured knee raised above the level of your heart. This will help drain fluid and reduce swelling.

Medication

Your doctor may advise over-the-counter pain medication or topical pain medications in the form of creams or patches that are applied to the skin.

Knee Support

If advised by your doctor, wear a brace. The brace will keep your knee from moving. Crutches may also be used with the brace. You may also need to wear a brace when you return to sports. It may need to be custom made to support your knee rather than keep it from moving. Braces are not advised for children.

If you have a severe sprain, you may need to wear a short leg cast for 2-3 weeks.

Rehabilitation Exercises

Your doctor may advise exercises to restore flexibility, range of motion, and strength. You may be referred to a physical therapist.

Surgery

Surgery may be needed if a ligament is torn completely.

Prevention

To reduce your risk of spraining a knee:

Warm up and
stretch
before exercise. Cool down and stretch after exercise.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Sprains and strains: what's the difference?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00111. Updated October 2007. Accessed June 18, 2015.

What are sprains and strains?
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases—National Institutes of Health website. Available at:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health%5FInfo/Sprains%5FStrains/sprains%5Fand%5Fstrains%5Fff.pdf. Published November 2014. Accessed June 18, 2015.